Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Resolutions

A bit late to post this, but just wanted to say that I completed my 2007 New Year's resolutions without a hitch. 2007 was the year of no french fries and no soda for me and outside of a few very tempting situations with fries I didn't have too much trouble.

The first week of '08 was a fry fiesta. I sampled the offerings of McDonalds, Burger King, Chick Fil A, and more... washing it down with various sodas. I have to say though, I did not really miss the soda - so probably won't miss it when I give it up again this year (I decided that the first week was a celebration week and that is okay, but no more soda from now on).

Given that last year was so easy, I thought I'd step up my game a bit with three new challenging resolutions - and hopefully decrease my odds of success.

First, I am not to look at the prices of my stocks for all of 2008 except for when I am actually buying something such as contributing to my Roth IRA. This is a tough one for me as I was checking my stocks almost like a nervous tick probably a dozen times a day. I've made stock decisions with a long term focus and the only thing looking at them every day does is make me worry.

Next, I will be exercising every single day. These exercises need not take up much time or be complex - usually just push-ups sit-ups or curls. So far I have not missed a day, but I have got a long way to go. I think I put in as an exception that if I physically cannot do the exercises, like if have a fever or I am throwing up, I can skip that day - but hopefully that won't happen.

Last but certainly not least - 2008 is the year of no fast food. I know - I frequented just about every fast food restaurant the first week of '08, but after that there will be no more. Now, there is a lot of controversy about what constitutes fast food. I am just defining it as the places that are traditionally and clearly fast food such as (but not limited to) Taco Bell, Burger King, KFC, Long John Silver's, Popeyes, Chick Fil A, Wendy's. Subway, Chipotle, and Potbelly don't count. Nercole raised an interesting question about the Pizza Hut attached to the Taco Bell - and I say that's clearly fast food - but a standalone Pizza Hut is not. My resolution, my rules.